"No one should get too excited by the prospect of an Indian casino opening in Medford anytime soon. If the experience of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is any guide, the plans of the Coquille Indian Tribe to open a casino on South Pacific Highway may never happen at all.

The Coquille tribe recently purchased the former Kim's restaurant and Roxy Ann Lanes and agreed to lease Bear Creek Golf Course. The tribe plans to start the process of placing the land in a U.S. government trust that eventually could qualify it as reservation land that could be used for a tribal casino.

The operative word there is "eventually."

Coquille leaders say the process could take three years. That may be overly optimistic."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Against all odds (The Medford Mail Tribune 9/12)

Related Stories:
Cow Creek Band objects to Coquille Tribe's bid for new casino (9/11)